Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Pepeko- Wang. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Pepeko-, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the best or worst investment you’ve made (either in terms of time or money)? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

I’d say making decisions and investments is really vital for artists and creative careers. But I really think putting effort into making connections and being brave to express your thoughts and your abilities are something that has changed my whole college life and even my future planning.

I know it sounds so scary and intimidating, and I once had the exact same mindset. But my first couple of attempts brought me a lifelong friend, an on-campus job as a TA (which directly helped me get into the local artist community), an internship that relates to one of my most interesting things, and a group of people who helped me at my worst time.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

Hi! I’m Pepeko- / Siyi Wang.

I’m currently a graduating student in the School of Visual Arts, majoring in illustration. I am an illustrator and zine/printmaker focusing on Risograph printing, bookmaking, and merchandise design. I do commission jobs and vendor tabling and have a small online shop back in China for selling my merchandise. I don’t really turn down any chance to try new things and am still trying to explore what is the best suit for me.

Born and raised in Suzhou, which is a small city in the southern part of China that is famous for its gardens. Growing up with my tailor parents, who ran a factory making wedding dresses and accessories, made me heavily involved with sparkly beautiful things and the sense of art at a really young age. Drawing, or to say, making art is something built in my blood that I never think I could stop doing.

My work always focuses on personal experiences and emotions, as well as the observations of this world under the lens of diverse identity.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My past 22 years have been kind of unstable. Nonstop moving houses and transferring schools, I went to Canada for high school when I was 15 and right ahead into America for college. All the changes, all the problems, all the insecurity, all the stress and emotions in the middle of the night became something that if I don’t express out will explode.

And that’s also the time I figure out what I really want to show the world with every stroke, every color made by myself: it tells the story about me as an individual and what shaped me as ME.

Another is the desire to be seen. I know it sounds so cliché and surface, but that is the thing keep drving me motivated to continue doing art. And being seen and appreciated, and understood by your audiences, I would say it’s one of the best moments in my creative journey.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I would say every individual, no matter who you are, what you do, or in which stage of your life, always has issues and problems that other majorities cannot understand. So do I. I always receive comments from my relatives and teachers (before I enter the art school) that I am such a sensitive person and I could have trouble getting into real society. Which I don’t deny. But also these way beyond normal standard sensitivities and constant extreme reflection are also the reason why I could catch the emotions and feelings and turn them into a visual piece.

They want your sensitivity brought out from your work, but they refuse to recognize that it’s because you are sensitive enough to visualize them and let your audience know.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pepeko-siyi.com/
• Instagram: pepeko.siyi